3.55.. Just 2wd. I did put a 04 limited slip (or whatever Dodge calls it) few years ago. It does have the larger 16’s but seems the same as when it had 15’s.
Dakota replacement options
- Thread starter wander2039
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As long as the frame isn't rotted or close to it & transmission gets serviced as soon as you get it you might be able to squeeze 75k out of of it? That would be 7.5 years at 10k annually.
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I have a soft spot for the jelly bean F150s. What great trucks. They were smaller than other 1/2tons, but just as rugged. Almost the size of the Dakotas. Rust was always a problem, but the 4.6L and 4R70 transmission was a good combo when maintained.
Good point.. Actually in a couple years will build a house down here so drop the mileage to 2-3k.
If you are managing now with a 3.9L Dakota, a 1500 with a V8 will be more than enough grunt to get the job done. I believe the Hemi is now available again in the Ram's. Or plenty of used Hemi Rams out there.
The boss wasn’t feeling the 2000 F150.
After some research didn’t think about the super crews mostly having the 5.5ft bed, thats a no go for me. I love the 6.5ft bed since you can put down the tailgate and have 8.You can get a super crews with the 6.5ft bed but only the 3.5 or 5, too many horror stories with the 3.5. Theres a perfect F150 I found super crew 6.5ft bed but has vinyl seats, probably why it hasn’t sold. Not sure where that leads, I’ll check Chevy in a bit.
After some research didn’t think about the super crews mostly having the 5.5ft bed, thats a no go for me. I love the 6.5ft bed since you can put down the tailgate and have 8.You can get a super crews with the 6.5ft bed but only the 3.5 or 5, too many horror stories with the 3.5. Theres a perfect F150 I found super crew 6.5ft bed but has vinyl seats, probably why it hasn’t sold. Not sure where that leads, I’ll check Chevy in a bit.
With the V6 I think for any kind of towing you'd want at least 3.73 if not 4.10s. My 98 Grand Cherokee 4.0 has 3.55s and its lousy for towing. I pretty much always tow anything with my 07 Grand Cherokee 5.7 which has 3.73 but also 375 ft lbs of torque!
From what I’ve read its only 3.55 or 3.92, guessing the 3.92 is 4x4 have to do more research. The speedo is 2.5mph off with both the 15 and 16s not sure why, 70 is 72.5. But the reality is with the last load it was at the safety limit and pulled fine in drive. 16ft trailer and 97 Aspire 4 door automatic probably around 4k. The transmission is the achilles heel, seems OD was a afterthought and not spaced right.
If you have the same 42RE that I have in my '98 I agree, you really can't or shouldn't tow in OD with those, I always locked it out when I did use it to tow the boat. I added a large stacked plate transmission cooler to mine which helped. The 545RFE in my '07 Grand 5.7 is a much better auto transmission, with 3.73 gears it pulls like the Super Chief and being a 5 speed it is much more flexible. If you could have re-geared it to 3.92:1 I think it'd make a huge difference. Had I not bought the 07 and used the 98 to tow often, I think I would have re-geared it despite the cost.
The few 3.6L Rams I have driven for loaner trucks were fine for commuting and light duty but I had an issue trying to back up my driveway with a bed full of mulch in one. The transmission jumped into park and the shifter indicator started flashing. I don't believe I was over the GVWR but I would stick with the Hemi for serious towing and hauling.
Agree. They hit a home run with these. I still recall the first time I saw one … brand new, shiny white and had a perfectly-fit topper on it. I was in awe of the look and looked forward to the day I might be able to afford one used.
Anything in this price range and mileage is likely to need a little love - belts, hoses, fluids, potentially bushings. Also, without a little love, anything at that age and price range is likely to also get the same gas mileage as the Dakota.
Dakotas are great trucks. I’ve never lived with one long term though. They looked good in the square bodies, and they looked amazing when they got the baby-Ram styling. That was the one. I knew some guys who towed far more with those on the farm than they were meant for. Go easy and they did the job.
Did you open the driver's door when backing up to see better? Because if so one of the new nanny devices is a lock out that throws it into park if you open the door. Great eh?
And I agree the Pentastar is a good engine in Wranglers, but for heavy towing the basic 5.7 Hemi has over 100 ft lbs more torque. In the Ram I think it's 285 hp/260 ft lbs for the 3.6, but 390 hp/410 ft lbs for the 5.7 IIRC.
No, the door was closed. Certain years didn't have that unless they went back for the recall. I believe it has a lighter duty version of the ZF 8 speed as well.
I towed a 6k lb boat from FL to Houston with my Hemi Ram. It needed every pony it had for that chore. I locked out 7th and 8th gear but it was in 5th a lot with any sort of incline or overpass section. I would have not wanted to make that trip with the Pentastar. It is fine in the Wrangler but with the manual and cruddy 3.45 gearing, it is a bit underpowered. It seems to be much better with the automatics.
Mine throws the electric parking brake. First time it nearly flung we out of the seat!
Yeah thats why I’m debating on used. The a Dakota is fairly stable as far as maintenance right now. Granted anything I get would at least get fluid changes. I remember when this style of Ram came out when I was a 14. I wasn't a fan of the jelly bean look at first but grew on me.
It did this fine today, lighter than the car couple weeks ago.
I learned this about my own truck on a boat ramp..
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